Iran holds mass funeral for supreme leader amid anti-US chants, calls for revenge and high-level official appearances
Iran’s top officials and relatives of the newly installed supreme leader appeared publicly Sunday at funeral prayers for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in a large display of unity and defiance as the country continues tense negotiations with the United States over ending the war.
Hundreds of thousands of mourners gathered chanting “Death to America” and “Death to Israel,” calling for retaliation over the Feb. 28 attack that killed the 86-year-old leader along with other senior officials and ignited the conflict. Some hard-line voices also demanded the assassination of U.S. President Donald Trump.
The new supreme leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, has not appeared in the public ceremonies, which are taking place over several days. He is believed to be in hiding after reportedly being injured in the strike that killed his father.
At the height of the conflict, before a ceasefire in April, Israel had targeted senior Iranian figures and warned of further attacks. It has also threatened the younger Khamenei.
The United States is continuing negotiations with Iran focused on reopening the Strait of Hormuz and addressing Iran’s nuclear program, though talks are expected to remain paused during the mourning period.
Ayatollah Jafar Sobhani, a 97-year-old cleric, led funeral prayers in Tehran, while other senior figures, including Iran’s president, parliamentary speaker, and top Revolutionary Guard commanders, attended. The crowd expanded compared to the previous day, with mourners dressed in black carrying banners and flags honoring the late leader.
Relatives of Khamenei, including several sons who had not been seen since the war, were present, along with senior military and political figures. Security forces maintained a heavy presence throughout the gathering.
Some participants openly called for revenge against U.S. and Israeli leaders. Posters and slogans at the site included demands for action against Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Public speakers at the event used strong language condemning the United States, while attendees voiced anger over the killing of Iranian leadership. The funeral proceedings coincided with a speech by the U.S. president in Washington, where he commented on U.S. military actions and ongoing global tensions.
Tensions between the two countries have been further shaped by past U.S. actions, including the 2020 killing of a senior Iranian commander, which Iran has repeatedly cited in its rhetoric.
Funeral events are expected to continue throughout the week, with processions planned across multiple cities before burial ceremonies conclude later at a shrine in Mashhad.
Authorities have not released attendance figures. Other regions across Iran have also held mourning gatherings as the country observes several days of national ceremonies.
The funeral has temporarily halted diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict, which remain deeply divided over issues including control of the Strait of Hormuz, regional security dynamics, and Iran’s nuclear program. Meanwhile, maritime traffic through the strait has continued under heightened security, though officials say conditions remain below prewar levels and risks are still elevated.
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